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I-MOD Action
I was going to delete this page but its nice to read some of the old stories
Thanks to all the have supported these reports if you would like to write about the
I-MOD's just let me know.
“Let’s hear it for the boys”
August 29, 2006
I-MOD Division of Shadyhill Speedway
Medaryville, In
By: MizzK
We are quickly closing in on the end of the ’06 season for the I-MOD division. This season has been especially hard on my marriage and my health and I have made the decision to not attend any more races at Shadyhill. I feel our division is getting a bad name so I would like to enlighten you on the caliber of drivers we have in our little family.
Amongst our drivers we have, 7 past champions in other divisions at Shadyhill. Toby Howard and Kyle Cooper are the ’05 and ’03 Champions in I-MOD. Five of our drivers have previous experience in the go karting field, Kurt Allison, Neil Martin, A.J. Cooley, Joe and Paul Gynn, at least 3 of the have won championships with those cars. Also five of our drivers, Chris Arihood, Brad DeYoung, Toby Howard, Kyle Cooper and Kurt Allison, are currently holding points in the UMP Modified division, Scott Minter and A. J. Cooley hold points in the Pure Streets.
In this bunch we have 3 sets of brother’s, the Howard’s, Fortner’s, and Gynn’s. Amongst our merry little band we have several truck drivers, 2 sets of father and son teams, most of them are included in what we call the Sullivan bunch who are also the comedians of the group, Cole Simmons, Tim Sr., and Jr. Sullivan, Les Jensen, Sr. and Jr. Terry’s McIntire. Little Terry as his family calls him, just became the father of his first daughter last week; unfortunately I have not gotten her name. Cam Bales has driven in a few different classes and if there was an award for the calmest driver I think he would get it he always has a smile on his face. Lynn Johns has also never ceased to amaze me how calm he stays after having a bad night and he never hesitates to come and say hi when he comes to the stands.
Some have found the expense of a family and racing is to much and chose to move on to better things, Aaron Shidler is moving his son into the ¼ midget class to introduce him the racing world, Donnie Rance fans don’t count out the black and green machine, I saw his wife the other day painting something with that familiar green of Rance Racing. Ron Miller, Dennis Ireland, Mike Gibbs, and John Allen will hopefully return to field next season. Brady Stalbaum, raced in the six cylinder class at tracks like Rensselaer Raceway, and Broadway Speedway in the 70’ and 80’s with at least one sponsor of the I-MODs and the current owner of this division.
The Fortner brothers have had a rough season, these two travel over 2 ½ hours to make it to Shadyhill, many times they have stopped at a payphone to call if the weather was bad so they did not make an unnecessary trip, several time we got rained out and they went home with nothing for that long drive. Jeremy Glasford works for a bank, Bales for a car dealer ship. Jeff Barger has been battling some health problems of his own and we wish him to get better soon and rejoin the group. Jeff is there on most occasions with someone piloting his car. And who can ever forget the flock in the stands waving their arms in support of the Duck, a.ka Tom Duckworth.
As you can see we have quit a diverse group of drivers. But put them all together and you have a great bunch of guys whom also have a great bunch of fans behind them in the stands waving their towels as the races start, and have given me 3 years of laughs and many tears.
Snake Howard has tried to tame the high banks of Salem Speedway his best race he finished 4th . This Halloween weekend two of our drivers will also try to tame the beast, Kyle Cooper and Toby Howard will make their bids in the 200 grueling laps on Salem. Brad DeYoung, Jeff Barger, Donnie Rance and Kyle have all helped in the pits at this race for 2 different cars one included our very own BossImod whom I have made hang up his racing suit after 20 some years, I don’t think I could stand to watch him race another one with my high blood pressure.
Our two newest rookies Derrick Marshall and Richie Shirey come from racing families and are just getting their feet wet in this division. I’m sure we will see good things from them next season. Most of our drivers will be getting their feet wet on the asphalt of Plymouth Speedway this coming weekend as we have been invited by the promoters to show them what we got. We have also had some UMP Modified driver fill in for our guys, Roger Caveness, Kenny Carlson, Ron Wilkes, and Mike Hollified of Buzzard Race cars.
Some may say these cars are a waste of time and money but there are more who like them and many would like to buy them for future seasons. This is the class where you are going to get more bang for your bucks.
I hope you have learned some about our drivers and although I won’t be at the last race of the season at Shadyhill I wish you all good luck, I hope your fans cheer you on to a good night and a better weekend. Come out to Plymouth on Sunday and show some support for your favorite I-MOD driver it should be an action packed show as usual. I heard Gary Gasper of RaceStar Publications will be there to take some great action shots, maybe Rich and Diva Rish will come also….
I would like to thank all the families, fans and sponsors of this division with out you we could not race every week.
Until Next time “Keep the Sunny Side Up”
MizzK
I-MOD Action July 8th 2006
Shadyhill Speedway Medaryville IN
“Girls Night Out”
For the first time in about 5 years I had a girl’s night out. The company I work for had their annual trip to the Odyssey dinner boat at Navy Pier in Chicago. Since employees can take one guest and the Boss wasn’t about to leave his drivers for one night, I took my niece Tiffany. We had a ball. It was one of the most relaxing evenings I have had; no driving, no cooking, plenty of food, good company, and plenty of cocktails. What more could a girl ask for? Through modern technology we were able to keep up with what was going on at the track from my sister.
This will be a short race review since I was not there to see the action but from what I heard and saw in the results it must have been one heck of a night of racing in all the classes at Shadyhill.
July 1st: Just before the Super Street division was about to take the track for their feature race the rain came down for about 15 minutes and the remaining two features were postponed until July 8th. Twenty one I-MOD’s were locked into this race. The heat races from the 1st had already been run and the winners were Neil Martin, Toby Howard and Kurt Allison. Lynn Johns finished second in his heat which gave him the right to start the trophy dash which he won.
On the pole for the make up race was the #88 of Neil Martin and the #48 A of Kurt Allison. Starting in the 7th spot was point’s leader Chris Arihood and on the first lap there was a pile up, Arihood left the track with a flat. Donne Rance and Cam Bales also left the field.
Mike Hollifield of Buzzard Race Chassis was driving the #16 for Jeff Barger. At the end it would be Toby Howard picking up his second feature win for the 2006 season. Following him were, Allison, Brad DeYoung, Hollifield, Johns, Martin. Jeremy Glasford, A.J. Cooley, Scott Minter, Terry McIntire Jr., Snake Howard, Tim SullivanJr., Joe Gynn, Tom Duckworth, Paul Gynn, Terry McIntire Sr., Tim Sullivan Sr., and Brady Stalbaum had left the race early with rear-end problems.
Next up were the July 8th races the heat race winners were Cam Bales and Donnie Rance who also won the trophy dash over A.J. Cooley and Joe Gynn. After winning his heat race Bales also suffered rear-end problems in tight racing action. From the messages we got on the boat the I-MOD race started out to be a good one. Brad DeYoung in tight racing action got too close to the tires in the infield and ended up on his roof. Brad was ok and continued to race once the car was up righted but lost oil pressure and left the track. Tim Sullivan Sr. and Paul Gynn also left the track with problems on their machines.
At the checkered it would be the older of the Howard brothers, Snake picking up his first victory for this season. This was Snakes 4th week out in his new machine. Following Snake were Terry McIntire Jr. with his personal best in this division with Rance, Lynn Johns, Jeff Barger, Toby Howard, Chris Arihood, Kurt Allison, Scott Minter, Joe Gynn, Tom Duckworth, Tim Sullivan Jr., Neil Martin, Terry McIntire Sr., A.J. Cooley whom I understand has extensive damage to the 15 c machine, Les Jensen, and Jeremy Glasford rounding out the field.
I hear this was some good racing action, I’m sorry I missed it. We do want to thank all the drivers, pit crews, families, fans and sponsors of our I-MOD family. If it was not for you, our guys could not race. I encourage you all to keep supporting our drivers in the effort to bring these great races to you every week.
I hope everyone had a safe and Happy 4th of July week and I will see you all next time.
Until then “Keep the Sunny Side Up’
MizzK
June 24 2006
“Kegger”
When I first met Craig known by many as “Kegger” he wasn’t the kind of guy that really got into dirt track racing, he liked those straight liner kind of races. But after marrying Dacia Ventrello who came from a long line of dirt trackers, we managed to sway him to our side. He became friends with many people in the dirt track world and was the tech man for Shadyhill as well as the I-MOD division. He also became one of the best engine builders in this area and was known as CAM Specialties.
Craig learned at an early age that he had developed a heart condition which made it hard for him to do many things; this did not stop Kegger from enjoying the things he loved, racing, fishing, and hunting. He was also one of the biggest pranksters around many garages. One of his best acts was while helping guys set up their cars he would strap them in the drivers seat to see if it fit ok and then he would break wind and run knowing you had no place to go.
On a very hot and muggy day just a few days after his 34th birthday in 2003 while working on his truck with his best friend Brad DeYoung, Craig suffered a massage heart attack and passed away. The I-MOD’s 30 lap annual race is held in Craig’s honor. This year 27 I-MOD’s came out to salute Craig as well as some of his friends from years passed. Nicholas, Andrew, Katie Mackall and Gary Nava all were present this year to congratulate the winner of the 2006 Craig Mackall memorial. I have a feeling Craig would have been proud of this win.
Craig is very much missed and always will be in our circle of friends and family and again next year we will honor him with a 4 wide salute in this division. And some of our guys will run them till they blow the guts out “Rock on Kegger”.
Our heat race winners were Kurt Allison #48, Chris Arihood #4 and Toby Howard #55.
Toby also went on to win the trophy dash; Kyle Cooper’s #6 was able to capture the win in the concie race which gave him a starting spot into the 30 lapper, Brady Stalbaum and Tm Sullivan were also able to start the race on points system.
Toby Howard drew the number for the invert for all classes hoping for a 3 he drew a 1 putting Kurt Allison on the pole for the start of the race. Kurt was able to take the lead at the drop of the green flag but with a $1000 prize at the end all 22 cars raced hard for the lead. Donnie Rance and Chris Arihood battled for several laps trying to grab the lead. Toby was able to gain the second spot. For the 5th position we had 3 wide racing into the turns with Cam Bales, Jeremy Glasford and Brad DeYoung.
DeYoung would take that spot. By lap 4 things were heating up on the track and close racing action caused the #82 of Rance to spin in turn 2 bringing out the caution flag. As the field came passed the stands we could see the right rear tire of Howard’s was going flat and on the restart going into turn one he lost all traction and spun ending his shot at the 5 foot trophy. Also leaving the track were Cam Bales and Tim Sullivan Jr. with problems. Allison again would take the lead but Arihood and DeYoung were on his tail all trying for that prize.
Lap 13 the trio had now come onto lap traffic and were weaving their way around the track. Jeff Barger’s #16 had now joined the lead pack as well as Kyle Cooper from his 16th starting spot. Jeremy Glasford, McIntire Jr., Lynn Johns and Bob Fortner were also improving their positions as the laps wore on.
4 laps to go DeYoung made a daring move on Arihood and took over the 2nd spot and was now hunting down the 48 of Allison. Lap 28 with only 2 to go Allison would open the door for DeYoung to take the lead and the win. Following DeYoung were Allison, Arihood, Jeff Barger, Kyle Cooper, Jeremy Glasford, Neil Martin, Terry McIntire Jr., Lynn Johns, Bob Fortner, Joe Gynn, Aaron Shidler, Snake Howard, Dennis Ireland, Scott Minter, Terry McIntire Sr., Tom Duckworth Brady Stalbaum. Rance, Bales, Sullivan Jr. and Howard left earlier in the race. This was one of the best action packed races we have had all season.
With Craig’s family present Brad was presented the check for $1000 and the trophy. This was Brads second feature win of the season and a proud moment for his car owner Rich Boteler as they were all close to Craig, it seemed fitting for this win.
Dick and I would like to thank all the I-MOD drivers and family for attending this race with the biggest car count of the season. Where have you guys been???
We hope all the I-MOD fans enjoyed this race and we will be bringing more action packed races every week at Shadyhill Speedway.
For those of you that knew Craig, take a moment to reflect on some of the accomplishments he had or some of the more entertaining moments you may have spent with him. Thanks to the fans and families and sponsors for supporting our drivers.
Until Next time, “Keep the Sunny Side Up”
MizzK
May 20, 2006
Medaryville In
“Ain’t Gonna Do it”
I have sat at my trusty computer for 3 days now and cannot get this weeks report started. Writers Block?
I doubt it. Anyone that knows me knows I can’t keep my opinions to myself but, I Ain’t Gonna Do It! I ain’t gonna give you my opinion on track conditions, restrooms, food, cheaters, or the price of gas. The first 4 weeks of racing at Shadyhill in this division has been a little rough on old MizzK. But I ain’t gonna boar you with details. I can tell I did make some changes to make me feel better. Let’s see if you can find the change…..
Because it’s so late in the week this will be short and sweet like me. 20 I-MODs signed in for a rough night of action. The first heat had Tom Duckworth’s #13 and the #48 of Kurt Allison take the pack out of turn 4 to the green. By the time the pack had rounded turn 3 there was a 3-way battle for the lead with Allison, Duckworth and Chris Arihood. The #4 would take the lead while the #55 of Toby Howard was on the move to the front. The track had become rough with some sizable ruts in turns one and two.
Lap 3 coming out of 2 the #13 would get loose and the 48 spun collecting Duckworth, Cooper, and Bales. Cooper took the #6 to the pits, all others continued. On the restart Howard made a charge for the lead and took it from Arihood for the win. Following them were, Duckworth, Allison, Minter, Bales, Stalbaum, and Jensen. McIntire had retired to the pits earlier.
The second heat had Neil Martin and Don Rance on the front row. Rance took the lead quickly and Lynn Johns was not wasting time jumping into second. Brad DeYoung was also on the move over the Sullivan team from his 6th place starting grid. On lap 4 Rance would bobble giving Johns a shot at the lead but Rance recovered and now it was a door to door race for the lead. DeYoung made his move on Martin and now Ireland and Shidler were trying to over take Martin but the laps wore down and Rance cruised in for the win with Johns and DeYoung on his tail. Rounding out the field were Martin, Ireland, Shidler, Tim Sullivan Jr., Joe Gynn, Tim Sullivan Sr., and Mike Gibbs.
The 4-lap trophy dash proved to be an exciting one. Johns in the lead with Arihood, Rance, and Howard close. . Lap 2 Rance and Howard would tap sending them sideways and using their abilities restored their machines but it was to late Arihood took the checkered over Howard, Rance and Johns.
At intermission the grader was brought out to repair the track, but running in the last spot of 5 classes this would not help the 20 I-MODs taking the green flag. Duckworth was the lucky duck with pole position with Johns on the outside. By lap 2 Duckworth would bobble coming out of turn 4 giving Johns the lead with Rance and Arihood right there to take the lead from him. Howard and DeYoung were making their way to the lead pack, by lap 5 it was a tight race with Duck, DeYoung, and Howard. Lap 6 Johns would bobble on the rough track and Rance would take the 2nd spot. Cam Bales found his way to the pits with a lot of smoke coming from his #36 machine. Arihood was now weaving his way through lap traffic but the second pack was coming on strong, as Rance passed the rookie Sullivan Sr. they tapped and Howard took the #2 spot, with DeYoung and Cooper, also advancing. Lap 13 the #19 of Jensen made his way off the track with a flat and McIntire slowed and made his way to the pits.
The front pack was in a tight battle to take the lead from Arihood with Howard closing the gap. Lap 18 Arihood would dive low to miss the ruts and Howard went high and closed the gap even more. Laps ran out for Howard and Arihood took the win with Howard right on his rear. Rounding out the field were, DeYoung, Cooper from the 17th spot, Rance, Johns, Duckworth, Martin, Shidler, Ireland, Sullivan Jr., Stalbaum, Allison, Sullivan, Jensen, Bales, McIntire, Gynn, Minter and Gibbs.
Another tough night of racing and with the hour late all went through tech and took their machines to the trailer, and then socializing. I will end now because as I type the lightening is flashing and thunder is rolling and to the best of my knowledge Garth Brooks is not singing, so I will end now. Just a word of warning to anyone working on a computer while it’s storming,,,, always remember to save occasionally or you might have to start all over with your work….. L .
As I mention every week in these reports, we are always looking for sponsors for the division. As any of our drivers can tell you, we don’t hesitate to give out many awards through out the season and this takes money and products. Being an independent division, funds are always limited. Give us a call if you would like to be a part of the great bunch. We also want to thank Tony Rose, our American Race Tire Distributor for his visit with is wife Deb. We hope you had a pleasant experience. Also our annual 30- lap $1000 to win race is coming up on June 10. It will prove to be an action packed race for all. Toby Howard will try for his second win in a row for this race and this will make for an exciting race.
Until next time, “Keep the Sunny Side UP”
MizzK
May 6, 2006
“When I was Young”
When I was a Young girl, the Brady Bunch was the biggest hit on TV and my dad worked at the Mill. Some days he would come home with the Rancid smell of Cole on his clothes or the sweet smell of Mint from a pack of gum in his pocket that he would share with my sisters and I. Growing up my cousin Kurt and I would help our grandfather on his farm by Baling hay, gathering eggs or just watching How the Martins built nest in birdhouses he had made for them or some days we would watch the Ducks fly over the farm.
Now with a child of my own who will be getting married soon and become a Shidler, I drive my mini Van to the track every week to watch racing on a Saturday night maybe some day I will drive one of those cute mini Cooper’s. Watching through my Glasses as the dust flies, the Ari is heavy with the smell of rubber from the hot Tires and I am reminded of the days we took vacations and visited the Forts out west and we would see some mighty big Snakes in the Black Hills. Some nights the tension is more some nights it is Les. There are nights the Johns are not so clean and others they are as clean as the hills of Ireland. AGynn I wonder why I keep doing this same thing every Saturday at Shadyhill Speedway.
My cousins and I sit together and watch our children and grandchildren make memories of their own. You can also make memories with your children when you come out to see the I-MOD’s race. These are the kind of memories that last a life time.
The afternoon sun was warm as 22 drivers signed in for a night of battle in their winged machines. The first heat race had the #12 of Tim Sullivan Sr. and the #48 of Kurt Allison who would quickly take the lead from the #12. Cam Bales and Joe Gynn tapped causing Gynn to spin. Donnie Rance was on the move on the top side as Jeremy Glasford found the dreaded burm in turn one and went into the infield. Allison soon took a wide lead over the pack and cruised in for the victory over Rance, Gynn, Johns, Ireland, Duckworth, Bales, Jensen and Sullivan.
Heat 2 had the #8 of Terry McIntire Sr. and Chris Arihood lead the way to the green flag start. On the start the #55 of Toby Howard would jump into the 2nd spot with the #24 in tow but DeYoung would tangle with McIntire taking the two machines to a stop with damage.
On the restart Cooper would challenge Howard in a door to door race for the 2nd spot. Aaron Shidler was making his way into the 4th spot and would make a move to the 3rd position but he and Howard would pick that same piece of real-estate and spin. Shidler would leave the track with damage to his machine.
Arihood would take the checkered with Cooper, Howard, Martin, Miller, McIntire Jr., DeYoung and McIntire Sr. following.
The sun was going down as the top 4 came out for the trophy dash Cooper would take the lead with Allison right behind, tight racing action cause Arihood and Allison appeared to have contact sending Allison towards the infield at the finish Cooper, Arihood, Rance and Allison crossed in that order.
By the time our 20 –lap feature was up the temperature had dropped and we were wrapping up in blankets. Joe Gynn and Kyle Cooper led the 20 machines into turn four and off they went. Cooper would take the lead. Coming in to turn 3 Shidler would tap the wall and spin for the first caution. On the restart Cooper made the jump with Gynn and Rance on his tail. Again in turn 3 Howard spun collecting DeYoung, Martin, McIntire Sr. and Miller. On the restart things did not seem right to Martin from his tail end restarting spot and when he stopped to ask why he there and some cars that had stopped were not, he was asked to leave the track, under the new ruling if you stop to question the officials about positioning you are black flagged. On the restart on lap 3 Arihood had made his way up into the 2nd spot and Rance and Allison were door to door for 3rd.
Going into lap 4 Ireland, Duckworth and Glasford were tight going into turn one and Glasford found the burm and went airborne to the infield with a time limit wearing down Glasford hit the pedal and kept going only losing a few spots.
Cooper and Arihood had started to open up a lead with Rance, Allison and Gynn in tow. By lap 7 the duo started lapping the field and weaved in and out of traffic until lap 12 when McIntire Jr.’s #15 spun causing the last caution of the evening letting the cars regroup.
On the restart, Arihood put his foot in the gas and showed Cooper his nose but Cooper held his lead with the #4, Rance and Allison in a 3 pack. Clear sailing into lap 20 for the #6 machine with Arihood, Rance, Allison, Gynn, Johns who snuck in around Howard, Duckworth, Bales, Shidler, McIntire Jr. managed to gain spots after the caution ahead of Ireland, Stalbaum, McIntire Sr., Miller, Sullivan Sr., Jensen, Glasford. Tim Sullivan Jr. was unable to compete losing an oil pump in hot laps and Bob Fortner found engine trouble to much and was also unable to compete.
Great feature race once it got started plenty of action through the entire field with 3 wide racing with out incident. Hats off to you Gents another job well done. And another week with controversy. I go to the track every week just dreading it after years of having so much fun and meeting so many interesting people, I find myself not wanting to go sometimes. Dick and I took on a tough job and just can’t seem to keep everyone happy. The funny thing is this started out to be a hobby and it has become a full time job. Hey guys where’s my pay?
We could really use some help from the public or private owned companies to be able to hire a full time tech man to avoid issues that are rising to the surface. We are all getting older and running all over the pits helping or checking on the drivers is catching up to Boss-IMOD this season. If you would like to contribute to and outstanding class please contacts us at imod@netnitco.net we will find a way to make it work.
I will end this report and by the way if the commentary makes no sense I used parts of all the drivers names to tell the story and hope you enjoyed some insight of when I was young growing up on a farm in Northwest Indiana. Come out and see our group, my cousin Kurt and I and we will tell you more stories of the farm life and our grandfather I’m not sure he would like this racing stuff.
Until next time, “Keep the Sunny Side Up”
MizzK